Expectations & Deferred hopes

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

I had an assignment from a friend of mine.  When I got the assignment it was to take a some weeks. It was more time and work - took several months.  On the onset of the discussion my friend told me he would compensate me with some cash for the job.

When the job got done! I was all very glad that at last my lean purse would get some reprieve.  My friend registered appreciation and presented their compensation to me.  I laugh at my self now that the work done seemed more that the amount of compensation - on the other hand it is a heart issue!

King Solomon said so himself in this quoted Proverb. Desires when met have a wonderful feeling - a tree of life! Expectations when deferred deal with the heart - a heart that is dissatisfied can even result to sickness.   I would have done the assignment gladly for no pay or compensation - I do that all the time! It is grace!  Will I allow a fiscal settlement, offered by my friend to spoil all the good in the assignment?  That I have answered in my heart. Will you? Deal with it and move on!! 

Another proverb says that, Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.

Psalms 71:5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things!

Robert Collier in one of his writings  says, 
"The power to be what you want to be, to get what you desire, to accomplish whatever you are striving for, abides within you...."

So how do I get to be what I want to be? I must realize first that I possess that power.  I must also get acquainted with that power.  Accomplishing whatever I have dreamed to be is an exciting experience.  I realize that, intense desire is a prerequisite and the catalyst is faith - Hebrews 11:1,2.  God says that with Him nothing is impossible! Luke 1:37.

The best type of accomplishment, being what I want to be then, is best within the confines of God's will! God's will.  His plan for my life or yours could be different!

Collier further says, "You can be whatever you make up your mind to be."  The Apostle Paul says it ever better in Philippians 4:13  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Sight Determinations

Our sight is determined by many factors. For most part man sees better when the time-span presented is shorter.  When the waiting time is longer it looses enthusiasm or makes little sense.

James 5:7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

A farmer waits patiently after sowing for the time of reaping.   For corn time ranges from 3 to 9 months in our country.  That wait time makes sense to many a farmer.
Planting a tree is different to planting corn.  When we planted trees with our daughter July 2011 the seedlings looked so tiny.  The cost of the seedlings was minimal.  Now the trees have grown taller than all of us. Now pruning them is sweat and good leisure-time activity. The air is cleaner around here!
Lastly, political tenure in our country if five years.  Men and women vie for elective positions at these important times in our country. Five years makes a lot of sense to our forks.


All that to say that, for each of us when time is presented to us for consideration in a venture or business. The longer the period involved the more difficult it is to actualize - though in long haul is the most gain.  No wonder we have to be reminded in our media that it is our duty to plant trees and care for our forests.  Five years make sense to some while to some only a season of 3 to 9 months make sense.

In fiscal matters, many prefer the instant gratification of merry go rounds and instant cash.  The saving culture - delaying instant gratification is a habit many of us should learn. Could there be something better for five years, ten years, more?

Habakkuk 2:3* For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 

The New Covenant...

Hebrews 9:16-17 

 16* For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
 
A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties about things that are in their own power, or may be so, and this either with or without a mediator; this agreement takes effect at such time and in such manner as therein declared. A testament is a voluntary act and deed of a single person, duly executed and witnessed, bestowing legacies on such legatees as are described and characterized by the testator, and which can only take effect upon his death. 

Christ's covenant qualifies a sinner who was destined for eternal damnation.  A sinner who would have been lost without hope of eternity with Christ, at the point of faith is translated from death to life - John 5:24.  The old covenant was based on the law. The law made every man guilty because no one could be justified by the deeds of the law - Romans 8:28. 

When Christ came, He authored the new covenant. The new covenant is not based on ordinances, Priests, or the High Priest entering the holy of hollies.  Hebrews 9:11 says that Christ is our High Priest of good things to come.

The death of Christ on the cross sealed our position. The new covenant now seals me qualified by faith to partake eternity with Christ in heaven.  It qualified me all rights and privileges of a child of God, adopted into His family by grace through faith! What an amazing position a believer has in Christ!!!

Preliquisite For A Filled Mouth!

The Psalmist in Psalm 81:9,10 highlights the first and second commandments in Exodus 20:1-5.  When God took Israel out of Egypt He was the sole provider of everything that they needed. Just like the young ones of a bird in a nest have no otherwise but to wait for their mother-bird to fetch food and feed them.  All they have to do when they hear their mother is to "open their mouth wide" and they have their full!

God, today is calling you to obey his command! Have no other source but Him.  Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"  Are you faithful to obey in His command? Then open your mouth and wait for His providence!

Developing Communication

We have in the staff devotions been discussing excerpts from the book Bring Up Your Child by Counselor Jane Kaibiria - MA Counselling Psychology.  Our key verses have been from Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
and Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

She says,

"Every day we receive thousands of messages.  They are continous and sometimes burdensome."
We receive messages through media like newspapers, televisions, radio, watching behavior and body language, etc. Let me add that in today's world sms, whatapp, twitter, and internet based information communication technology are additional mediums.  In addition to being receivers we also transmit and receive messages, through interpersonal messages such as:

• Greetings, smiles, handshakes
• Exchange of words in a business transaction
• Style of dress, hair style
• A frown or yawn

As servants working with people we need grace in our speech (verbal or non verbal) such that we have discretion to answer every man.  Our communication proceeding out of our mouth - God help us to  be such that build's up and not tearing down.  I believe that is what the Apostle Paul is calling for the use of edifying.  Edification imparts grace to the hearers.

The Root of All Evil & Unrighteous Earnings

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4. THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

People are doing many evils because of the love of money. People are killing each other because they love money. People are corrupting books because they love money.  People are writing fake vouchers because they love money. People are doing prostitution because they love money.  

1 Timothy 6:10  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Some have strayed from the faith because of love of money. In other words some have got separated from the faith!

Ecc 5:10  He who loves silver(money) will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance (wealth), with increase.

May God help us with silver and gold and give us the grace NOT to love it!

5. MONEY EARNED THRU UNRIGHTEOUS WAYS WILL PERISH

Be careful of the sources of your money!!  Get clean money!

Money gained with unrighteous ways will perish with you!  If you are work ENJOY your salary!  Do not oppress someone to get money.

Work hard to get money. Work with your mind! Some people work smart and are able to get a lot of money! Be very careful not to get any corrupt money! Do not bring a curse in your generation.

Prov 10:22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

Know this, wealth that is got with corrupt ways or ungodly means will fly away!

Be careful of the sources of your income. The fear of the Lord will bring you truth wealth!